Vol. 415 No. 3
66 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing attacks on the Kurdish people by Saddam Hussein and his Government in Iraq; if he will outline the action, if any, which is being taken to bring pressure to bear on the Iraqi Government to try to save the Kurdish people in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of and deplore the actions of the Iraqi regime against the Kurdish population. It is a matter of great concern to the international community.
On 5 April 1991 the Security Council adopted Resolution 688 condemning the repression of the Iraqi civilian population in many parts of Iraq, including in Kurdish populated areas. The Security Council demanded that Iraq immediately end that repression and insisted that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organisations to all those in need of assistance in all parts of Iraq.
The Kurdish population are being assisted by the aid programme operated by the humanitarian organisations, supported by the force of United Nations Guards, which work with them in order to bring food and essential supplies to the Kurdish population. Ireland has contributed to the costs of the United Nations Guards.
On 15 November 1991, Ireland, together with the other members of the European Community, expressed concern about the situation in Iraq and about reports of the continued repression of its civilian population by Iraqi Government troops in northern Iraq. We noted the worsening situation in northern Iraq caused by military action and the blockade of the area and called for an end to Iraqi attempts to disrupt economic life in that area.
